Door-lock.



B E. TAYLOR DOOR LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED APILYZ. I915. 1,246,347. 7

Patented Nov. 13, 1917. f

B. EJTAYLOR.

DOOR LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED APR.22, 1915; 1,246,347. Patented'N0v.13,1-917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- B. E. TAYLOR.

DOOR LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED APR.-22{ 1915.-

Patented Nov. 13, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

resistance of the buffer strip.

BAYARD E. TAYLOR, 0F OAK PARK, ILLINOIS.

DOOR-LOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 13, 191*".

Application filed April 22, 1915. Serial N 0. 23,101.

to the accompanying drawings, and to the numerals of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. V

This invention relates to an entirely new departure in the construction of door locks, and is well adapted for use on any type of door, although more particularly designed for use on doors of motor cars. Such doors are subject-ed to hard usage, and difficulty has been experienced in properly locking the same to prevent looseness and rattling thereof when the motor car is traveling over a rough road, due to warping of the frame and body of the car under such conditions. It has been the general practice to provide bumping or buffer strips of rubber or fabric upon the door frame, with a relatively strong door latch associated with the door which, of necessity, must act with considerable force to lock the door against the However, the buffer elements are subject to wear, and when worn may produce looseness of the door and lock, allowing the door to spring open under slight pressure, or even due to rough roads, which of course is a dangerous occurrence. The warping of the frame when the car is on an uneven surface is greatly increased in the new type of cantaliver spring suspension, there being a greater tendency for the frame to spring upwardly along the central portion than in the old construction wherein the springs are connected at the ends of the frame- Some of the door locks heretofore constructed have a wedge-like action to draw the door tightly against its frame in the body, but after continued use and wear the locks and doors become loose, causing an objectionable rattle or squeak on the road. In a great many makes of cars, the doors are hinged along the rear side so: as toopen frontwardly, and a latch or hook is provided on the door frame of the car to engage the door to hold the same in partly open position for summer driving in orderthatthe partly open door may direct a draft of air intothe car. These hooks or latches, however, permitof only one adjustment of the door, and are frequently bent and broken and often catch and tear the clothing. Then, too, with the recent introduction of concealed hinges, straps are necessary to prevent the door swinging beyond the limits of the hinges and possibly breaking the same. I

This invention, however, relates to a door latch or look which at no time or in any position of adjustment may rattle or become loose, and which acts efficiently to lock the door in any position of adjustment, and when lookin the door closed holds the same snugly in place to prevent rattling or squeaking thereof due to warping of the body frame.

It is an object. therefore of this invention to construct a door locking mechanism wherein a hinged door is always connected to the door frame by a flexible medium which may be. locked at different points to maintain the door in certain adjusted-open positions and engaged and tensioned to draw the door snugly closed into itsframe and held locked therein. j i

It isalso an object/of this invention to construct ,a door lock embracing cam actuated interlocking means for a flexible mechanism connecting the door and the door frame to tension the mechanism in looking the door in closed position and. frictionally engaging thesame to hold the door in various positions of adjustment when opened.

It is also an object of this invention to construct a door lock wherein a resilient strap is secured to the door frame and slidably engages lockin mechanism mounted on the door, said locking mechanism adapted to positively and wedgingly engage said strap to draw the door tightly into closed position and also to wedgingly and frictionally engage said strap to prevent adj usting movements of the door when in open position. i 7

It is furthermore an obj ect of this inven tion to construct a door lock embracing a resilient metal-strap pivotally mounted on; the door frame and slidably engaging mechanism mounted on the door, said mechanism adapted to interlock with said strap and to tension the same to draw the door tightly closed and prevent rattling thereof, and in open positions of the door, adapted to frictionally engage said strap to maintain the door in various adjusted positions.

It is finally an object of this invention to construct a door lock embracing cam actuated mechanisms mounted on the door coacting with a flexible means connected on the door frame and associated with said mechanisms to hold said door tightly closed and locked, or look the same in adjusted open position.

The invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view illustrating a vehicle door in closed position equipped with a device embodying the principles of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view thereof, showing the door partly open and locked from movement.

Fig. 3 is a front face view of the mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 1 1 of Fig. 3, with parts in elevation.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail section taken on line 55 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view somewhat similar to Fig. 4, but with parts omitted and with the parts in another position of adjustment.

Fig. 7 is an interior rear view of the mechanism in one position of adjustment.

Fig. 8 is a similar view, showing the parts in another position of adjustment.

Fig. 9 is a detail view of the resilient metal strap used in my construction.

Fig. 10 is an interior detail View of the mechanism with parts shown in section and parts in elevation.

Fig. 11 is a detail section taken on line 1111 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 12 is a detail section taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 13 is a detail section taken on line 1313 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 14 is a face view of the double cam element of the mechanism.

Fig. 15 is an edge view thereof.

As shown in the drawings:

The reference numeral 1, indicates as a whole a door frame having mounted therein a door 2, connected by means of hinges 3, to the door frame. Secured upon the door on the inner surface thereof, as clearly shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 11, is a base plate 4, and adapted to be secured thereover is a casing 5, having inturned edges 6, for engagement around the recessed edges of said base plate, as clearly shown in the sectional views in Figs. 11, 12, and 13, and at one end of said casing 5, a short grooved base plate member 7, is similarly fitted between the side walls of the casing 5, and is heldattached to the door by a screw 8, engaging through the flanged end of said casing. Also engaged upon said base plate 1, by a tongue and groove connection therewith, similar to that already described with reference to the casing 5, is a flat guard element 9, which, at one end, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is flanged outwardly to afford an abutment 10 to abut the end of the casing 5, and at its other end is curved outwardly to form a projection 11, which together with the base plate 4, afi'ords an easy entrance and exit therebetween for a relatively stifi but flexible steel strap 12, which is looped around a suitable pintle 13, secured on the door frame 1, and securely held thereby, though permitted to swing thereabout. Said flexible steel strap 12, in the present instance is shown as consisting of two steel strips, although one may be used if so desired, and as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the strap extends for the entire length of the guard plate 9, and casing 5.

Said casing 5, is provided with a tubular extension 11, in which is journaled a cylindrical extension 15, of an integral double cam element comprising cams 16 and 17, the outer end of said cylindrical extension being squared to receive an actuating handle 18, attached thereon. A rectangular shaped block 19, is disposed on the under surface of the double cam element 16-17, and is provided with a threaded stem engaging into an axial threaded aperture in said double cam element, so that rotation of said cam element by the actuating handle 18, will serve to move the rectangular head toward and away from the cam element, inasmuch as the head is held from rotation.

For the purpose of preventing rotation of said head or block 19, a plate 20, is provided slidably engaged between the side walls of the casing 5, between the flexible strap member 12, and the surface of the cam element, and is provided with a long slot therein in which said block 19, fits, so that slidable movement of said plate on said block 19, may take place, and said block is prevented from rotation by the plate when the cam element is rotated. At one of its ends said slidable plate is provided with an outwardly turned end or tail 21, adapted to be contacted by the cam 17, of the cam element, and near its otherend is rounded out on its inner surface to afford a concavity or cam surface, as clearly shown in Fig. 6, the latter concave portion being denoted by the reference numeral 22.

Contained within said casing 5, at one end thereof, is a pair of coiled compression springs 28, which bear against the abutment 10, of the cover plate 9, and against a U- shaped strip of metal to impel the same against the cam element or the tail portion 21, of the plate 20, as the case may be. Disposed movably within said casing 5, is a block 25, rounded at one end, and which bears against the cam element, as clearly shown in Figs. 4, 6, and 10, and is provided with a long pin 26, threaded on its outer end on which is adjustably engaged a latching member 27. A coiled compression spring 28, is engaged over the end of said pin, hearing upon said latching member, and at its other end around the inwardly drawn edges of an aperture 29, in the end of the casing 5,

said compression sprin 28, acting to hold the block 25, against the cam element, and of course normally acts to tilt the same and the latch block 27, into the position shown in Fig. i, this movement being resisted, however, and controlled by the cam portion 22, of the slidable plate 20. As clearly shown in Figs. at, 6, and 9, a slot 30, is provided in the resilient strap member 12, to permit engagement therethrough of the latch block 27 when projected into the position shown in- Fig. 4.. The casing 5, is provided with curved enlargements in the wall thereof, to permit complete rotation of the cam element 1617, but the side walls of said casing extend therethrough, as clearly shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 10, although, as shown in Fig. 10, the same are cut away or narrowed to permit rotation of the cam element.

The operation is as follows:

When the door is in the closed position shown in Fig. 1, and the handle 18, in the position illustrated, the door is partially locked, but is not held closely in its frame.

This is due to the fact that the latching block 27, is only loosely engaged in therecess 30, of the flexible strap 12, thus preventing complete outward movement of the door, inasmuch as the relative movement between the door, its associated mechanisms, and said strap, cannot take place. However, in order to completely latch the doorrigidly and tightly closed, the handle is swung downwardly into a horizontal position from the position shown in Fig. 8, thus rotating the cam element and causing the same to force the rounded block 25, along within the casing, thus thrustingthe latch block 27, against the end of the slot 30, in the strap. This wedging action of the latch block 27, into the recess of the strap tensions the strap considerably, and draws the door tightly closed in its frame, preventing rattling thereof.

In order to release the door the handle 18, is rotated counter-cloclnvise, first into the position shown in Fig. 3, which relieves the strap 12, of the tensile stress exerted by the latch bolt, the latch being impelled rearwardly as the cam rotates from behind the block 25. Thus far, however, the latch block has notv been disengaged from the slot 30, of the strap, and consequently another eighth revolution of said handle 18, isnecessary, causing the cam 16, contacting, as it does,.the tail 21, of the plate 20, to retract said plate, thus retracting the cam portion 22, and causing the rounded end of the block 25, to ride outwardly on the thickened edge of said portion 22, and causing retraction of the latch block 27, against the compression of thespring 28. The door is now free to. swing into any open position or to a closed position, free movement of the strap 12, taking place through the mechanism attached on the door. However, if it is desired to maintain the door in an adjusted open position, the handle 18, is rotated still further counter-clockwise, and by this time the rotation, together with that previously having taken place, is sufficient to have caused the non-rotatable block 19, having threaded engagement with the cam element, to be impelled outwardly tightly against the flexible strap 12, bearing thereon with great frictional force and preventing movement of the strap through the mechanism, so that the door is thereby held in an adjusted position. The stillness of the fl6Xl' ble strap 12, is such as to normally maintain the door in any desired adjusted open position against the stress of all ordinary conditions tending to swing the door closed;

lVhen it is again desired to lock the door the strap is first released by rotating the handle 18, in a clockwise direction, and permittin the plate 20', under the impulse of the spring 23, bearing-upon the yoke 24, which bears upon the tail 19, of said slidable plate, to be impelled along. The rounded end of the block 25, rides into the concave recess of the portion 22, thus projecting the latch member block 21, toward the strap, and when the door has been closed sufficiently tobring the slot 30, into register with said latch block,

the latch block engages therein under the impulse of the spring 28, to interlock therewith. Further rotation of said handle 18, of course causes the cam element to wedge the rounded block 25, along within the casing, and consequently the latch block 27, therewith, so that the same engages against one end of the slot 30, ofthe strap to tension he strap and draw the door tightly closed. The cam element 16, also acts to retract the U-member 2%, against the compression of the spring. 23, preceding and during an opening movement of the look, as clearly shown in Fig. 4:. When the block is in the latched position shown in. Fig. 4, and the latch block 27 is wedged tightly within the slot 30, of the strap the U-member 2a, rests against the flat surface of the cam member 16, to prevent accidental, reverse, or loosening movement of the handle 15. The strap 12, is provided with a rivet 81, therethrough which travels in a groove in the plates 4L and 9, during movement of the strap therebetween, but strikes against an abutment 32, on: the guard plate 9, aftera certain amount of movement to limit the outward swing of the door. Access to the adjusting stem 26, on which the latch block 2?, is carried for compensating for wear, is had through the aperture 29, in the end of e casing 5, by means of a screw driver or other similar tool. Due to the fact that all of the parts in every position are either spring impelled or in wedging relation with one another, the objectionable rattling common to most types of locks cannot occur.

I am were that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the class described the combination of slotted flexible means mounted upon a door frame, an adjustable means on a door adapted to engage therethrough to tension the same to draw the door tightly closed,

2. In a device of the class described the combination with a door and its frame, of flexible means secured upon the frame and having sliding engagement with the door, mechanism on the door to frictionally engage said means to prevent movement thereof with respect to the door and maintain the door fixed in any position of opening, and means co-acting with said mechanism for actuation thereby adapted to engage a recess in said flexible means to tension the same and lock the door tightly closed.

3. In a device of the class described the combination with a door and its frame, of flexible means pivotally mounted upon the frame and having sliding engagement with the door, mechanism secured upon the door for engagement with said flexible mean to resist movement of the door, and cam 0perated means forming a part of said mechanism adapted to engage a recess in said flexible means to tension the same and draw and lock the door tightly closed.

d. In a device of the class described the combination with a frame and doormounted therein, of means secured upon the frame and slidably engaged with the door in all open positions, and mechanism adapted to stress said means under tension to draw and lock the door tightly closed in its frame.

5. In a device of the class described the combination with a door and its frame, of a flexible metal strap secured upon the frame, a casing secured upon the door through which said flexible strap slidably extends, a cam actuated latch member adapted to en gage a slot in said strap to lock the same from relative movement to prevent move ment of the door and adapted to be moved to tension said strap and draw the door tightly to the frame in looking the same, and means adapted to bear frictionally on the surface of said strap to prevent relative movement thereof with respect'to the door and casing to maintain said door in various fixed open positions of adjustment.

'6. In a device of the class described the combination with a door and its frame, of a flexible strap secured upon the frame, a casing secured upon the door through which said strap slidably extends, a spring impelled latch block mounted within said casing adapted to engage a slot in said strap, a cam for operating said latch block to tension the strap and draw the door tightly closed and lock the same in closed position, a handle for actuating said cam, and a friction block having threaded engagement with said cam adapted to be impelled away from said cam into frictional bearing with said strap to hold the same from movement through said casing when the door is in an open position to lock the door in such position.

7. In a device of the class described the combination with a door and its frame, of a flexible metal strap secured upon the frame, a casing secured upon the door into which said strap slidably extends, a spring impelled latch block within said, casing adapted to on age a slot in said strap to lock the same within the casing and prevent opening of the door, a movable rounded block on which said latch block is adjustably mounted, a slidable plate having a cam surface adapted when moved to impel said rounded block inwardly to retract the latch from said strap, and a cam acting in one direction of rotation to force said block forwardly and wedge thelatch into engagement with said strap to tension the same and hold the door tightly closed, and when rotated in an opposite, direction acting to move said cam plate to permit movement of said rounded block to retract the latch from the slot in the strap and release the same to open the door.

8. In a device of the class described the combination with a door and its frame, of a flexible metal strap secured upon the frame, a casing secured upon the door through which said strap slidably extends, a rotatable cam element within said casing, a block mounted adjacent thereto, a stem rotatably secured in said block, a latch block adjustably mounted upon said stem for engagement with a slot in said flexible strap, a coiled spring engaging the end of said stem and bearing against the casing, acting nor mally to impel said latch block outwardly into engagement with said strap, said cam element adapted to thrust said rounded block forwardly to wedge the latch block into said strap to tension said strap and lock the door when said cam element is rotated in one direction, a slidable plate mounted adjacent said cam element adapted when said cam element is rotated in an, opposite direction to be retracted thereby and force movement of said rounded block to retract the latch block from engagement with the strap and permit movement of the door, and a friction head having threaded engagement with said cam element acting when the cam element is further rotated in the second mentioned direction of rotation to frictionally engage said strap to securely held the door in various positions of ad justment.

9. in a device of the class described the combination with a door and its casing or frame, of means secured to the frame and having slidable engagement with the door, compression devices associated with the door to co-act with said means to clamp the same to lock the door in any position of adjustment, and spring impelled latching means disposed for actuation by said compression devices to interlock with said means and tension the same when the door is in closed po sition to draw the door tightly closed.

10. In a device of the class described the combination with a door and its frame, of flexible means connected to the frame and movable relative the door, a casing mounted on the door to confine said means and guide the same in its movement, rotatable compression mechanism mounted in said casing for co-action with said means to compress the same within the casing and hold the same from movement with respect to the door to hold the door in an adjusted position, and a latching device disposed for coaction with recess provided in said means to positively interlock therewith when the door is in closed position and actuatable by said mechanism to tension said means to draw and maintain the door closed in its frame.

' 11. In a device of the class described the combination with a door and its frame, of a member mounted on the frame and movable relative the door, and means mounted on the door for co-action with said member to tension the same and draw the door tightly closed into its frame.

12. In a device of the class described the combination with a door and its frame, of means mounted on the frame and movable over the door, and a cam controlled adjustable latching device mounted on the door for co-action with said means to tension the same to draw the door into closed position.

13. In a device of the class described for a door, a latch casing mounted on the door, cam cont-rolled means adjustably mounted therein, and slotted means pivoted on the frame of the door and projecting into said latch casing to engage said cam controlled means to latch the door in closed position.

14. A door latch comprising means movable with respect to the door having an aperture therein, and spring controlled adjustable means mounted on the door adapted to engage in said aperture to lock the door in a closed position.

15. In a device of the class described the combination with a door and its frame, of a casing secured on one thereof, a flexible element slidably mounted within said casing and connected to the other thereof, and a plurality of locking devices associated with said casing to co-act with said flexible element to hold the door in any open position and in tightly closed position. v

16. In a device'of the class described the combination with a door and its frame, of a casing secured upon the door, a flexible element slidable through said casing, means connecting said flexible element with said frame, locking devices associated with said casing for co-action with said flexible element to interlock the same within said casing to prevent movement of the door, said locking devices comprising means clamping said element within the casing, and means positively engaging therewith to tension the same and hold the door tightly closed in the frame.

1 7. In a device of the class described the combination with a door and its frame, of a casing mounted upon the door, a flexible element slidable in the casing, means connec ing the same in the door frame, locking devices in said casing for. engagement and coaction with said flexible element to hold the door in an open or closed position, eccentrically operated means for actuating certain of said devices, and mechanism operating to retain said actuating means in a locked position to retain the door snugly closed in its frame.

18. In a device of the class described the combination with a door and its frame, of means pivoted on the frame and having sliding engagement with the door, automatically acting latching devices on said door for co-action with said means to engage therewith to prevent opening of the door beyond a certain position, and manually operatable means for said mechanisms to force the same closely into engagement with said means to tension the same and draw the door tightly closed.

19. In a device of the class described the combination with a door and its frame, of an element pivoted on the frame and having sliding engagement with the door, a slidably mounted spring impelled automatically acting latch mounted on the door for coaction with said element, and means manually actuating said latch to draw the same into close engagement with said element to tension said element and draw the door tightly closed.

20. In a device of the class described the combination with a door and its frame, of

means mounted on the frame and having sliding engagement with the door, spring impelled automatically acting latching mechanism mounted on the door adapted to interlock with said means to limit the opening movement of the door, and eccentrically operated means for manually operating said mechanism to tension and maintain tension upon said first mentioned means to draw and hold the door tightly closed in the frame.

21. In a device of the class described the combination with a door and its frame, of a locking device comprising means mounted on the frame and having sliding engagement with the door, automatically acting locking mechanism adapted to engage said means and adapted to be manually operated to tension said means to draw the door tightly closed, and auxiliary locking devices for co-action with said means to hold the same immovable with respect to said door to maintain the door in any desired open position. a

22-. In a device of the class described the combination with a door and its frame, of means mounted on the frame, and having sliding engagement with the door, and automatically acting latching mechanism adapt ed to engage said means to limit the opening movement thereof and adapted for manual actuation to tension said means and draw the door tightly closed in the frame.

A door lock comprising a casing, a resilient slotted tension member having one end extending into the casing and slidable relatively thereof, a mechanism for engag ing in the slot in said tension member to lock the door tightly closed, and means for clamping the tension member in the casing to prevent relative movement between the same and said casing to lock the door in an open position.

24-. In a device of the class described, a casing, a member slidaloly engaged therein, eccentric means within said casing adapted to tension said member, and means adapted to alternately engage said member to lock the device and to release said member to unlock the device.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

BAYARD E. TAYLOR.

Witnesses CHARLES W. IIILLs, J12, EARL M. HARDINE.

Copies of this patent may he obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

